Release your imagination......Explore new worlds. Make your own stories.

ooh I've been away for far too longImagineers....largely because I've been reading A LOT and teaching A LOT and somehow have missed blogging A LOT.But I've been meaning to tell you about this little corker 'Silo the Seer' by V. Peyton. I've had it for every such a long time in the Storyshack cabin but have just missed it as something to read. Finally I picked it up and it's a really smashing read for 8+ I'd say. Silo is an orphan who also loses his 'guardian angel' early on so he has lots to contend with. He is sent to become a 'SEER' because he is recognised, but the authorities, as having a gift but they want that gift for something different and, as you might suspect, things are not always what they seem. There are some dastardly rivals, some loyal pals and scrapes and adventures. It's a really good read and I'm looking forward to the next one.

'Marvels' By Brian Selznick (who wrote HUGO) is a beautiful book based on some aspects of a very creative, imaginative occurrence. I would say to get the best out of the book it should probably be a 12+ read i.e. secondary school as there are some themes in the book that are worth discussing and I just there is an age where you would get more out of it. In the first half of the book the story is told through beautiful black and white illustrations and then continued in text. I don't want to say too much about it as it really makes you think about what's real and what isn't, about families and friendships and being true......open it up, you're in for a treat and you have a beautiful book for you shelf to gaze at too.

...and lastly all the pictures I've been meaning to post: 'A Child's book of Poems' illustrated by Gyo Fujikawa is something I just wanted to put up as it's a favourite from my shelf. As soon I open this book I'm transported back to opening

it when I was little and wanting to sleep on a leaf OR , as a later poem by Tennyson is illustrated, in a shell. Just very 70s childhood to me and totally indulgent but hey ho. Also beautiful line drawings inside to accompany a mighty fine selection of poems by Tennyson, Kate Greenaway, Christina Rossetti to name but a few. Track it down if you don't already have it and if you do dig it out for a poetry trip.

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Sarah Gallagher

Avid reader, sometimes a headteacher AND founder of Story shack. A place where you can release your imagination and see where it takes you....readingwritingbook makingplayingbecause everyone deserves to imagine and create